Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe SUFFOLK COUNTY , N.Y., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- A Long Island man has been charged with animal cruelty, sexual misconduct and petit larceny after he allegedly stole, had sex with, and beat a dog to death with a baseball bat. Dix Hills man Steven Errante pleaded not guilty at Suffolk County court and Judge Barbara Kahn granted his attorney’s request that her client be given a psychiatric evaluation to make sure he doesn’t lack “the capacity to understand the proceedings against him or to help in his defense because of a mental disease or defect.” Advertisement Errante’s bail was set at $50,000. According to prosecutors, the 26-year-old stole a Rottweiler-Labrador mix from a fenced-in pen behind a church and then had sex with it. In December, Errante allegedly beat the dog with a bat so badly that is suffered a fractured skull and had to be euthanized. The suspect’s lawyer, Mary-Elizabeth Abbate, is demanding a jury trial. Errante's next court date is scheduled for April 4. [News 12 Long Island] [Newsday] Read More Nuclear important in Japan's latest draft energy policy Cheney blasts Pentagon plans to slash troop size Hedgehogs become more popular as pets in U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama raps about healthy wraps Fugitive mortgage scammer allegedly attacked prosecutor after capture
